DETECTIVES hunting a fugitive over the murder of his ex-girlfriend have revealed he is also wanted for questioning on suspicion of rape

Linzi Ashton, 25, had accused 28-year-old Michael Cope of the assault two months before she was killed.

The barmaid also made complaints about domestic violence. But ­yesterday it emerged police never spoke to Cope because they could not find him.

The officer in charge of the case, Chief Supt Kevin Mulligan, said there had been strenuous efforts to find him and the matter had been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

He also revealed Linzi was seen out with Cope on the Friday night before her death and urged anyone who had seen them to call Greater Manchester Police. Her body was found at her Salford home on Saturday.

She had suffered serious wounds to her head and face. A post mortem found she died of pressure to the neck and multiple injuries.

This is a really nasty, wicked crime and if anyone is harbouring him they’ve got a moral duty to come forward and tell us where he is

Chief Superintendant Mulligan

Police have now launched a manhunt for Cope and a £5,000 reward has been offered for any information leading to his conviction. Chief Supt Mulligan said: “Linzi was beaten to death in a brutal and sustained attack and we are continuing to focus our efforts on locating Cope.

“This is a really nasty, wicked crime and if anyone is harbouring him they’ve got a moral duty to come forward and tell us where he is.”

Asked if police had protected Linzi, he said: “We made strenuous inquiries to try to bring this man into custody.”

WANTED: If you see Cope call 999 immediately

Members of the public have been warned not to approach Cope and dial 999 if they spot him.

Linzi worked in her cousin’s pub, the Duke of York, in Eccles, Greater Manchester. She dated Cope for several months but they split up following a string of rows. Linzi made the rape claims in April.

Her ex-boyfriend Liam Grime, father of Linzi’s two daughters, Destiny, seven and Daisy, two, found her body as he brought Daisy home at 6pm on Saturday.

In a statement, her family said: “Linzi was the most beautiful, generous, caring person anyone could ever wish to meet.”